Tourists use general caution. The Bywater is usually a fairly safe neighborhood but we do have violent crime here, just like all of New Orleans. Know where you're going and don't go exploring unfamiliar areas at night. Try and be street smart.

+

Tourists use general caution. The Bywater is usually a fairly safe neighborhood but we do have violent crime here, just like all of New Orleans. Know where you're going and don't go exploring unfamiliar areas at night. Be street smart.

{{outline}}

{{outline}}

Revision as of 00:56, 20 March 2009

The Bywater[2] is a portion of New Orleans down the Mississippi River from the French Quarter and the Faubourg Marigny. Its boundries are often debated. Most New Orleanians and the city's historic district office describe it as being bounded by St Claude Ave to the North, The Industrial Canal to the East, Montegut Street to the West and the Mississippi River to the South. It is also known as the "upper ninth ward" as compared to the "lower ninth ward" which lies East of the Industrial Canal to the St. Bernard Parish line (the downriver limit of the city of New Orleans).

Contents

Understand

"Island of Salvation Botanica" satisfies local Voodoo supply needs

Bywater is a bohemian neighborhood a bit east (down river) from the French Quarter. Artists and musicians relocated here when the French Quarter became too pricy. Now joined by professionals and young families it's high elevation has allowed it to thrive post Katrina. It is primarily residential but there are lively pubs and restaurants scattered throughout the neighborhood. Travelers and residents from other parts of the city are steadily discovering this neighborhood's old-time, laid-back charm.

The largest section of New Orleans proposed riverfront development is planned for Bywater's Poland Avenue Wharf. Real-estate developers; ICInola are investing 30-million dollars into unused warehouses at Bartholmew and Burgundy to create 180+ green-certified luxury loft spaces. The Desire Streetcar may one day return to replace what is currently "A Bus Named Desire"

Get in

By Foot/Bicycle

It is a very pleasant stroll down Royal, Dauphine, or Chartres Streets through the historic Faubourg Marigny; approximately 10 blocks from Esplanade Avenue (the downriver limit of the French Quarter) to the Bywater.

By Car

From the French Quarter/CBD, the easiest route is down Rampart Street, which merges (via a small connector called McShane Place) to become St. Claude Avenue just before Elysian Fields. St. Claude forms the main thoroughfare passing through the Bywater and Lower Ninth Ward.

Using Public Transportation

The Bywater is served primarily by two bus lines operated by the New Orleans RTA [3]. These are:

5, Marigny-Bywater: you can catch this bus on Canal Street at the corner of N. Peters (right in front of the Canal Place tower, across the street from the casino); it goes through the French Quarter on N. Peters/Decatur Streets before taking Elysian Fields back four blocks to Dauphine, and from there follows Dauphine Street through the Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods all the way down to Poland Avenue next to the Industrial Canal. Coming back up the route is the same except the bus follows Royal Street instead of Dauphine.

88, St Claude-Delery: you can catch this bus at the corner of Canal & Rampart; it basically follows Rampart and St. Claude Avenues all the way through the Marigny, Bywater, and Lower Ninth Ward until finally turning back just across the parish line in Arabi, Louisiana.

Saturn Bar nearby at 3067 St. Claude Ave, this is a strange old bohemian dive with some of the city's funkiest and most bizarre decor. Drink cheap beer, whiskey, or Southern Comfort. Don't expect them to know how to make fancy-pants mixed drinks. Rumored to be the favorite of Nick Cage.

Sleep

Contact

Stay Safe

Tourists use general caution. The Bywater is usually a fairly safe neighborhood but we do have violent crime here, just like all of New Orleans. Know where you're going and don't go exploring unfamiliar areas at night. Be street smart.